SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Never forget.

Never forget the morning of September 11, 2001, when evil arrived and took more than 3,000 innocent lives.

Never forget that our nation united in the aftermath of 9/11. 

We were united in mourning those lost.

We were united to defeat the cowards that attacked our shores.

We were united in rebuilding Manhattan. 

We were united in getting America back on planes, visiting New York, and traveling around our beautiful country again.

We were united in proudly flying "Old Glory," demonstrating our love of country.

For a time, we were all Americans. Red, blue, or purple, it didn't matter. In the fall of 2001, we stood united.

Nineteen years later, America is more divided than ever before. America has fires raging across our country on multiple fronts. Sadly, America started these fires. There is no foreign enemy this time.** This dumpster fire is exclusive of our own making and, in many cases, was preventable. We need only look in the mirror to find both the darkness and, hopefully, the light that will lead us forward.

We must acknowledge our complicity in our country's deep division. The simple fact is that we never encounter or share time with those that disagree with our views. Rural America and urban America never cross paths.

Meanwhile, cable TV and social media fan the flames twenty-four hours a day. CNN, FOX News, Facebook, etc., are core to America's polarization. They have exacerbated our problem and offer nothing positive or constructive. Most of us are extremely lazy and consume only what we want to hear and believe. Let's step outside of our comfort zone for 30 seconds to listen to a differing opinion.

If you lean BLUE, I would suggest the following introspection:

You are elitist, or should I say snobbish. Too often, you look down on others and lament their lack of education. You tend to be more secular and downplay religious beliefs. You don't understand the fabric of rural towns. You don't care what's happening in the heartland. Look down from your ivory towers occasionally and show a little understanding and empathy.

Globalization, while inevitable, has not treated our country in an equal manner. Urban and coastal cities have flourished in this connected world. At the same time, there has been an incredibly negative effect on blue-collar and middle-class Americans. Job losses and the opioid crisis have decimated entire communities.

Guns and gun owners are not inherently evil. Hunting, target shooting, and clay sports are as American as baseball and apple pie.

It's okay to question our government and political leaders. But there is nothing wrong with capitalism. While not perfect, it has served us well for 244 years. Selling goods and services while making a profit is perfectly fine.

If you lean Red, I would suggest the following introspection:

Earning a college degree and having a formal education is not a negative. Ridiculing and deriding college-educated people and higher education as liberal elites is not constructive. How did being smart and educated become a bad thing?

Science is just that. Science. It's not a matter of debate. The climate is changing and changing very quickly. This is not a hoax. Look out the window once in a while and see what's happening. The overwhelming majority of natural disasters affect red states or rural areas. Why doesn't this register at some level? Covid-19 is deadly and scary. It is not a hoax either.

The USA is a country that has welcomed immigrants for two centuries. Diversity makes us a more prosperous society. Black Lives Do Matter. Respect for other cultures has been a cornerstone of American society. Systemic racism is alive and well in America. You can honor America’s rich history while also acknowledging our missteps.

The 2nd Amendment was written when muskets were the only guns. Nobody wants to take your guns. It's just that many people don't like kids getting killed while at school. Assault weapons have no purpose other than to kill.

Affordable health care should be available to everyone. Why do you support leaders that want to take away these fundamental protections?

Why should a male-dominated government ever tell women what to do with their bodies?

So how do we move forward and unite?

Here are a few simple ideas.

Let's make America kind again.

Let's learn to listen again.

Let's not be afraid to talk with those that have different opinions.

Let's put term limits on the Congress and Senate.

Let's forbid the revolving door between the US Government and lobbyists on K Street.

Let's abolish the electoral college.

Let's make it illegal for private sector executives to be appointed to oversee the industries they have financial interests in. 

Let's figure a way to provide healthcare for all of our citizens. Let's focus on our children and grandchildren and the world we want to leave for them.

Together, we must understand that there is so much more we agree on. A divided America cannot survive much longer.

Please vote on November 3 or ideally earlier! It's still a democracy for now…

Never forget.

**The virus came from Wuhan, China. The American             response has been a disaster.